Everyone county/state should stop paying for fancy meals and international travel at the citizen's expense.

President Elect Obama has excited a very large number of people around the world; however, as the economic crisis starts affecting more people, the anger against the US will grow again.

Alan Greenspan and Phil Gramm's deregulation - Wall Street will self-regulate because it is in their own best interest. Apparently the lobbyist's money wiped out their knowledge of history.

Starting with an Apple

Where there is something someone wants, there will be greed.

We need to tell our next President to cut back on fancy events until the economy is better and the number of unemployed is reduced substantially. The economy is not getting better anytime soon.

Julie, you are absolutely correct. The picture of Obama and wife coming out of a fancy restaurant the other day is ironic. No children with them. Two wealthy adults dined at an beyond-affordability restaurant who can afford it and the baby sitters. She was especially in an extravegant coat with hair done for the cameras. Ask yourself, how many of us can afford to dine at such a luxurious restaurant, on a week night, paying some people to watch our children, wearing such expensive clothes, getting our hair done, just to go out, since we have a lot of money, and don't have to go to work early in the morning?

Community organizer? Organizing your way to the top! A manipulator of human population! It shouldn't take long to see the true color or Obama and his family. You just wait and see!

Over here in the UK, we daren't upset Chefs or we get unpleasant things incorporated into the meal...

Hope the Catering staff haven't lost all their savings on the stock-market...

Huh. Fruitwood. Yes, I love how smoking something with apple wood is considered fancy. Sure there are plenty of people who BBQ pork with apple and cherry. Maybe they are secretly 3 star chefs.

The funny thing about "fancy" food like this is it really doesn't cost that much. The chef is the expensive part. Quail is just a game bird. A quince gastric involves buying a $1 fruit. And Vermont brie? Ooo, $9/lb. Fancy.

The raw cost of these meals is probably on the order of $20 excluding wine.

Jen im betting the Obama's dinner didnt cost anywhere near Palins fake tan. Or Cindy McCains 300 000$ dress! That if anything should throw you into a mouth foaming rage.

It doesnt? Thats ok, I know you're a republican, the party that defines hypocrisy.

Remember when McCain in an interview defined the income when you go from middle class to 'rich' as 5 000 000$? The Obamas didnt even make 1 million combined in 2006. The Obamas are NOT rich, McCain said so! They're middle class.

Let's forget the partisan stone throwing shall we? I think Jon Garcia makes us aware of the disparity b/w what comes out of these world leaders mouths: republican/democrat/socialist/green party/white/black/yellow/green - we should all be tightening our belts now and not just joe schmoe. World leaders should set an example by putting their money where their mouth is. I hear spam sales are up - perhaps they should pull a Barbara Eihrenreich and learn how it feels to economize. And while they're at it I would rather not sit on Connecticut Ave for a half hour waiting for their sated butts to be escorted back to their luxury hotels.
Thank you Jon Garcia. You should be reporting instead of these insecure Ken Dolls who desperately need the approval of their reflected images.

Jen, I've dined at Spiaggia here in Chicago more than once -- each time on a week night -- and my husband and I are not millionaires, I assure you. You have no idea how much Michelle Obama's coat cost, but she wears many clothes that are by no means beyond the budget of middle-class people. Her mother probably looked after the children as she does regularly, and do you seriously think this couple had nothing to do the next morning? The man's just been elected President, for God's sake: he's drowning in work, and she has to organize a move to Washington, find a school for her children, and set up her own White House team. First Ladies are expected to work, and they don't get paid for it, either.

As for "organizing your way to the top," working hard and achieving success is something traditionally celebrated in this country, especially if you did not come from inherited wealth but rather from very little. I find it odd that people should sneer at Barack Obama and his wife because they were not born to riches or family influence but rather have earned their success.

No, Jason, it was not "obvious" what Jen was asserting. What came through Jen's post was resentment and envy of people who have the money to enjoy a night out at a nice restaurant, paying for it with money they earned themselves. Most of us like to enjoy a celebratory dinner out -- for a birthday, a special event -- and there is no reason why the Obamas should be exempted. In truth, I know few "responsible adults" who "choose not to" dine out in nice restaurants when they can, and on their own tab. Is anyone suggesting that the Spiaggia bill (which, I can assure you, did not come to $500 for two people) was covered by the American taxpayers?

As for Michelle Obama's clothes, I was referring to the very ordinary clothes she often wears -- from places like J.Crew. The last sweater I bought there cost $78. Since I'm from Hyde Park-Kenwood, Chicago and have been following the Obamas since he was merely our local state senator living in a condo two blocks from my home, I can assure you that Mrs. Obama hasn't been buying expensive clothes throughout the years.

I'm sorry that you feel that I should not enjoy the same posting privileges that you do. Perhaps you'd like to explain that wish more coherently and intelligently than you have. By the way, I'm an ordinary, middle-class girl who worked very hard in order to attend private and Ivy League schools on generous financial aid, just as the Obamas did. You'll forgive me if I appreciate other people who, like me, did not come from wealth but who used their brains and their work ethic to achieve.

Obama worked his butt off for two years campaigning. If he wants to go out to eat on a date in a nice restaurant that is his business. He's earned his money. There sure is a lot of envy going around nowdays. Coming up? His pay isn't even close to what it sure sounds like those top CEO's are making now. And the poster saying his wife won't draw a salary is correct I believe as well. I would not have the job he's about to take on.

Michelle eat more times, and much, much more than Obama.

What, no vegetables (other than eggplant) for dinner? Two separate years of wine. Must be to forget their difficult discussion during the day. Where was broccoli, lima beans, kale, squash, cauliflower, brown rice, corn, or even spaetzle? Sounds like meat and wine folks to me...

Can't help but reminisce the era of wild George Jr. during his fiesta years. This is the same thing, just at a higher level. A brilliantly clueless self-acceptance of his greatness.
Or do you really think he accepts being the worst POTUS?

What's wrong with eating out, having a babysitter, nice clothes or nice home as long as people spend their own money on them ? Doesn't it help the economy ? Isn't it American dream about ?

No, that's not the point. The point is the MSM/Hollywood developed notion that it's only the Republicans who have money and are into such things. People want to project this image that the Democratic Party are advocates of the poor and downtrodden. Actually, the Communists in the Democratic Party think that the Proletariat (us) should have enough-and they decide how much enough is. To them the idea of the average American working their way up and being successful is laughable:

"Who ever heard of a plumber making more than $250,000 a year?" (laughter)-Barack Obama

Pelosi's husband's a millionaire. John Kerry married an heiress. George Soros is a billionaire.

Wake the heck up.

I am really impressed with someone who lives two blocks away from the Obamas - NOT!!!!! I might become impressed if the Obamas invited you to move with them to the 1600 Pensilvania new address, but did they? Try to refrain yourself from referencing the Obamas while they had nothing to do with you. So you frequent the restaurant they had been to? You bought the J.Crew Michelle had bought? Do you know how high the odds are? How about claiming that you breathe the same air that the Obamas breathe?

Unfortunately, those star-struck voters irresponsibly elected an unvetted person into the White House. Those people, like someone pointed out, should not be able to sleep at night, for they sent the rest of us into a dangerous future. Shame on those of you who voted for no better reason than you could babble now. You have no right to sleep from now for sending this country's future into a dangerous known zone.

johnTX sounds like a gourmet cook who argued each and every item that was expensive to be NOT. johnTX, we, party of 23, would like to stop by at your very inexpensive party to discuss global recession. We know it wouldn't cost much, therefore no need to chip in. Please get the dinner ready. Time to spread your wealth. I don't believe the President should tighten his belt with such an inexpensive dinner. Neither should we. Please get the dinner ready, and let's eat!

because some can't afford to eat out or buy a nice dress the rest of the world has to do the same? are you people insane? with some comments here i'm not surprised you can't eat out as you may only qualify to wash floors. absurd and uncalled for. stop telling others how to spend their money and if you wish to be as successful go to school and get an education.i'm not rich by any means and it's not my business to tell others how they should spend their money, it's not your business either. go after the bailout folks if you wish but leave those who do for themselves alone. what next, the guy living under the bridge is going to make demands that next president live under the bridge because he's a loser? last i heard obama and michelle were employed. we are not all the same and we are not a communist ccountry, so get over your jeoulousy and grow up. color a book if you may.

I couldn't help laughing out loud when I read this Eleonora27's rant, "Jen, are you so naive that you're unaware that First Ladies have ALWAYS dressed expensively?"

Hold right there. Are these words from the same person who accused Palin for expensive clothing? Surely Palin was not up for the First Lady's position. She was up for the VP's position! So what's wrong with her dressing nicely in front of public? Talking about double standards!

It always has been the Democrats problems that they have two sets of standards for themselves and for others. When I read Eleonora27's cry, "these vituperative, paranoid, childish comments have descended into discussions of Michelle Obama's figure", I was scratching my head about how Eleonora27 would shamelessly twisted things around again as someone pointed out earlier. It is not what Jen said, and there is no need to put words in her mouth and claim what others said had anything to do with Jen's point that extraveganza doesn't belong to now and here.

And Eleonora27, if you need financial aide to attend school, why are you frequenting an above average restaurant so often? And why are you buying J.Crew for $78 without hesitation? I have no problem how you spent your money, don't misread again (your consistent problem). I have problem that you took away the financial help that could have gone to those who actually needed help and will contribute to the society more than you can ever imagine.

Zorra, you said because Jen couldn't afford to go out so she is ranting. I invite you to read her posting again. She clearly stated that most medium income people can afford to do those things but made a choice not to. She even clearly stated that she could afford a $500 meal, but like most of the medium income people, she had never done that.

Before you jump all over on someone about what they said, make sure you know what they actually said! If you don't even know what they said, what's the point of your attack?

As Obama was capable of dividing the Democrats during the primaries, he is continuing dividing this country even after the election was over. Bush graciously invited Obama to meet, and the same day their conversation was leaked by Obama team. Inexperienced? Intentional? Both, probably.

Obama's lies will catch up with him. Not because outside force or any discrimination, but the desire within his own partisan thoughts and force. I wish this administration the best because this is my country. But Obama and his people, including those fervert supporters, do not truly understand what it takes to act as a team. They demand others for handout, or "spread the wealth". Whose wealth should be spread? Those who are on social welfare? Nauh...since they have nothing to give. So it's obvious who are targeted. Once you have such a differentation, you have divided this country. Ironically, it's those who give that will receive the least respect, most restriction, and will choose to be poor eventually like everyone else who don't contribute, but get to demand.

Parasite figure they will always have a free ride in life. Little did they know, once the giant that they suck on dies, they die too. But they can never see beyond tomorrow.